Theory of Mind is a term in psychology that assesses an individual’s degree of capacity for empathy and understanding of others. It is a crucial social-cognitive skill that kids need to develop, so delays in theory of mind are worth paying attention to. Theory of mind enables kids to understand that others experience feelings, others
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I know what you’re thinking…you’re probably ‘connected’ with your child all day, every day! After all, it’s not hard to connect with your toddler or preschooler…they’re hanging on you all the time, needing something constantly, and go with you everywhere. Right? But what about meaningful connection? Sounds hard? Time-consuming? It’s not! We have 10 ways
7 ways to connect with your toddler or preschool-aged child Read More »
You want your child to behave in a certain way, perform to a particular standard (say, in school), or simply not embarrass you with a tantrum in the grocery store aisle. But how to motivate kids who don’t want to comply? I have one kid who is motivated simply by guilt…he’s a parent pleaser and
How to motivate kids (when nothing seems to work!) Read More »
You know how when your child gets more and more ramped up, YOU also get more and more agitated? Or maybe the reverse is sometimes true: when you get increasingly stressed over a situation, your child begins to react to this vibe, becoming more upset. This was me—full-scale hostage in the fit of a lifetime.
Parenting with co-regulation: how to calm your child Read More »
Whether you have a special needs child or a typically-developing child, these top parenting strategies for changing and directing behavior are key! We already know that guiding behavior is hard, but as we learn the science behind behavior, top parenting strategies emerge. The following strategies are used every day with ABA therapists and can be
TOP STRATEGIES EXPERTS USE TO CHANGE BEHAVIOR (AND HOW YOU CAN USE THEM!) Read More »
Have you ever played the toy drop game? Maybe you know it by the highchair game? If you’ve ever spent time with an infant, you have definitely been at least an unwilling participant in this game. The oh-so-cute baby drops the toy and you, without thinking too much about it, lean over and pick it
Defining Behavioral Science: Extinction Read More »
Have you heard of descriptive praise? By the name alone, you can probably guess that it involving praising your child in a descriptive way, but how is descriptive praise different than any other type of praise? Let me give you an example. Your kid says, “Mom! Watch me!” and then jumps from the diving board
Defining behavioral science: Descriptive Praise Read More »
Six weeks and two days was as long as I lasted. Yes, I counted the days. I had always thought of myself as the fairly strong-minded, perseverant person. I was completely prepared for motherhood—the sleepless nights, the changes to my body, the mental and physical toll—all of it. I felt like I was walking into
Why your parenting needs science Read More »
What is joint attention? Joint attention is the ability to share a common focus on something (people, objects, a concept, an event, etc.) with someone else. It involves the ability to gain, maintain, and shift attention. Joint attention serves as a referencing tool that uses shared gaze (visually focusing on the same thing) and/or gesture
Defining behavioral science: What is joint attention? Read More »
“Why are you doing that?!?!?” I ask myself, as I watch my kids do something at least 147 times a day. If you think that number is an exaggeration, remember, I have four BOYS. Now you understand. When I think about why my kids are doing something, I am asking about the functions of behavior.